President Obama’s deployment of 100 US combat forces to Uganda and surrounding areas has shocked many as highly unusual and even downright bizarre. But while ground troops in Africa are a comparatively rare occurrence, the decision follows a very familiar path of dominant US foreign policy.

Obama’s justification for the war-by-presidential-decree was twofold. First, Obama injected the ubiquitous humanitarian rationale, accurately noting that the Ugandan-based militant group the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) “has murdered, raped, and kidnapped tens of thousands of men, women, and children in central Africa.” The use of this rationale is as common in US military interventions as it is fraudulent, given US administration of, complicity in, and disregard for comparable atrocities around the world.

The other of Obama’s justifications asserted a “national security interest” in fighting the LRA. Using the normal definition of the phrase, this is not just implausible; it’s far-fetched. The LRA pose no direct threat to the US, and indeed are at their weakest point in 15 years, with only 200 to 400 fighters at current, down from 3,000 armed troops and 2,000 people in support roles in 2003.

If the “official” state definition of the phrase is used, however, the assertion is probably accurate. In official foreign policy doctrine, “national security interest” often means the interest of corrupt dictatorships, albeit ones that are obedient to US demands.

For years, the US has lent economic and military support to the Ugandan government, now headed by the regime of President Yoweri Museveni, reelected earlier this year in a vote that was widely disputed by international observers. And since the US war in Somalia has intensified, relying on obedient state thugs in neighboring countries is ever more important.

In this context, US support for the Ugandan regime has increased as a bribe to fight this latest US war. In June, the Pentagon sent part of a $45 million package in military equipment to Uganda. The aid included four small drones, body armor and night-vision and communications gear and is in part being used against al-Shabab. The request for aid to Uganda in FY 2012 is set at over $527 million.

Capturing LRA leader Joseph Kony remains the highest priority for Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni. As the Washington Post reported, “military advisers in Uganda could be payback for U.S.-funded Ugandan troops in Somalia.” Keeping Museveni – a dictator who has been deemed “president-for-life” – content and swimming in weapons and money is what will keep him willing to fight a dangerous and brutal proxy war for the US.

The approach will be familiar to anyone knowledgeable of the history of US foreign policy, from Latin America to the Middle East. But it is still a bold move as Obama’s hot wars tally up and critical comparisons to Bush piling on in an election season.

Sending in troops, even in small numbers, in that region has had disastrous effects in the past (Black Hawk Down, years of consequent strife and suffering in Somalia, etc.). The operation already seems more expansive than the small number of troops would suggest, with Obama planning to spread the presence of the commandos to surrounding areas in South Sudan, the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of the Congo – some of the most bloody and dangerous places in the world.

The potential for calamitous consequences resulting from yet another war of choice is, to say the least, very high. And for the years ahead, the region is proximate enough to the Arab world that the potential for blowback is at least as likely.

If i were only a bit more inclined to conspiratorial thinking, i would say the only reason we got a black president was to spear head a new offensive in to africa.
just imagine the out cry if it was still ole bushy

Hey Super-Committee — I just found $527 million you can cut from next year's budget, and it won't hurt us a bit. What's more important. Jobs and aid for struggling Americans? Or $527 million to some successor to Idi Amin who's fighting a war against some group no ones ever heard of?

They should print up a schedule of wars that they're gonna have this season, which Generals and special ops they're gonna feature, what weapons of mass destruction they're gonna employ. Since the NBA is going on strike this could be a real promotional boost for military.

Not to mention that last year it was announced that Uganda has the largest inland oil reserves in Sub-Sahara Africa, more than 2bln barrels. The oil fields are under development now by several foreign oil companies.

Anyone who spends time in Entebbe, Uganda (the lovely airport town), knows that there have been at least a hundred US military personnel there for some time now, though the numbers have been increasing this year. They have taken over Sophie's Hotel and a compound nearby. Plus there are numerous contractors involved with spy planes based in Entebbe. The disclosure now means "they" are preparing for something bigger.

Low cost natural resources essential for our manufacturing sector, this is our new African Command in a nut shell. For only in expansion can an Empire achieve the “stability” so desired by the investor class. Surely, and to say that Empire USA is in a downfall mode while it is still expanding, this is an illusion of light and the worse kind of darkness.

In Regards to the Lord’s resistance Army, was it created by, now funded by, the CIA? If so, then these “400 fighters,” if funded by some charity, could they be the nucleus for a most peace loving and democratic nation?

President Obama, following George Bush has brilliantly crafted a strategic manuever in Africa that will bring peace to Africa and stability to Der Homeland.

Women, instead of being raped by evil doers can now be raped by handsome, clean, genetically superior white American soldiers whose DNA will help Africa move from bing the dark continent to the bright one.

Africa's oil is best untilized by the United States which can sell the oil back to the Africans at a reasonable price.

Sending troops to Africa provides jobs. Not only for Americans but for the Africans who service them.

President Obama has been misunderstood by the liberal media. He is one of our own, a true fascist.

And fascism should not be a dirty word. It is rule by the most intelligent, (who have proven their intelligence by amassing great quantities of wealth) over the least intelligent, the poor, the downtrodden, the weak.

All hail our great leader. And no matter what happens in the elections, more brilliant Americans are waiting to take over from Obama should he decide that he doens't really want to be president all that much anyway and he resigns or loses the election because of that.

Whatever he does, it will be a sign of his visionary intelligence which so many of you who complain, should follow. Let the 1% guide you.

Stu Piddy says, “Whatever Obama does, it will be a sign of his visionary intelligence”

Fascism is a religion based on the belief that, God created fascists to be the most intelligent so they could rule the world. Surely a fake morality and fiction religion, for it there is a creator, and he wanted the one most intelligent to rule earth, then ruled directly by nature’s God would be earth.

For logically, if there is such a thing as nature’s God, then the purpose of this world would have to be to teach us the difference between good and criminal, with allowing those most intelligent to rule being the rule cause of all crime and slavery.

Then, as trusting in the word of those most intelligent is the root cause of all darkness, deceit and slavery, then trusting only in the word of God would be just as enslaving. For only by experiencing the ultimate conclusion of misery, can we ever establish if there is such a thing as good, namely the existence of a God that is full and perfect good.

If Anti war should sudenly be the policy of america , I fear no problems of some country attacking us .I have watched us getting into the middle of several civil wars . I can't say we joined the right side either . As a matter of fact I rather think we choose the wrong side more often than not . We claim some new philosophy called the right to protect . Ron pual has finally just said we have to stop this senseless war